New Jersey Working Families Alliance executive director Analilia Mejia made the following statement in response to Gottheimer’s vote to pass the Trump administration’s security-themed spending package, including funding for the proposed border wall.

“It is disappointing that Rep. Josh Gottheimer chose to side with House Republicans and vote for the Trump administration’s security-themed spending package, including $1.6 billion for Trump’s pointless border wall on the US-Mexico border. Gottheimer, recently elected with the support of New Jersey Working Families Alliance, was one of only five Democrats who voted for the measure.

We expected more from the congressional representative who replaced former Rep. Scott Garrett, vowing to uphold the values of the voters in his district. This vote fails to represent our values.

Thursday’s vote is a preview of the upcoming budget process. We will be watching Josh Gottheimer and advocating that he support a fair budget that puts the needs of the working families of his district first, instead of gimmicks to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.”